Device for use as a hot and cold compress

ABSTRACT

A device for use as a hot and cold compress comprises a tough flexible envelope of plastic material within which is a gel which maintains a gel-like consistency over a wide temperature range.

United States Patent 1 Spencer Dec. 25, 1973 [541 DEVICE FOR usE AS Anor AND cou) 2,378,087 6/1945 Kearney 62/530 COMPRESS 2,515,582 7/1950Beckwith 62/530 2,697,424 12/1954 Harma 62/530 n t Ja H- sp dbury, NY.2,595,328 5/1952 Bowen 62/530 2,803,115 8/1957 Sh h d.. 62 530 [73]Asslgnee: Nortech Laboratories, Inc., North 3,075,529 H1963 i i 284403Bellmme, 3,545,230 12 1970 Morse 1. 62/530 [22] Filed: July 20, 1971 p[21] Appl. No.: 164,368 Primary Examiner-William J. Wye

. Att0rneyAlbert C. Nolte et al.

[52] US. Cl 62/530, 128/399, 128/403, ISO/2.1, 165/46 511 im. Cl. F25d3/08 [571 ABSTRACT [58] Fleld of A device for use as a hot and coldcompress comprises a tough flexible envelope of plastic material withinwhich is a gel which maintains a gel-like consistency [56] uNlTE g gzz rs gzqrENTs over a wide temperature range.

2,203,591 6/1940 Brown 62/530 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUEBZS191a 3.780.537

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS DEVICE FOR USE AS A HOT AND COLD COMPRESS Thisinvention is concerned with a device for use as a hot and cold compressand one which is reusable.

Existing devices to these ends have generally comprised ice bags orpoultices. The ice bag has the drawback that it is messy and that itdoes not closely and comfortably conform to the part of the body towhich it is to be applied because of the rigid contents of the bag.Poultices such as kaolin poultices are of course notoriously messy andthey are not reusable.

the present invention seeks to provide a device which can be usedoptionally as a hot or as a cold compress, one which is reusable andwhich will closely and confortably conform to the part of the body towhich it is to be applied and one of which the preparation and use issimple and clean.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a toughenvelope containing a liquid or paste or gel which has a low freezingpoint and a high boiling point. Preferably the liquid is a gel whichmaintains its gel-like consistency over a wide temperature range.

In a preferred form the gel is formulated from water and glycerine witha thickening agent. A neutralizer may be added such as sodium hydroxideand desirably an additive is used to inhibit the growth of fungus. Thatadditive may for example be methyl paraben.

It is convenient to form the envelope of the device of a polyethylenewhich is both flexible and tear and puncture resistant.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: I

FIG. [is a perspective view of the device of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a section on the line 2-2.

In the drawing the device comprises a generally rectangular envelopewhich is sealed at its opposite ends 11 and 12 in conventional fashionto enclose a quantity of a gel-like material which fills the envelopesufficiently to enable that envelope to be closely conformed to thebody. Y

In use the envelope would be put into a freezer or other chilling devicefor use as a cold compress .or would be put into hot water to be used asa hot compress. The material within the envelope. is a gel which willmaintain its gel-like consistency over a range of temperatures fromabout 0F. to about 212F.

A particularly desirable gel is formed as follows. To produce about 400pounds of gel, 235.5 pounds of water, 160 pounds of glycerine, 240 gramsof methyl paraben, ll grams of peacock blue (a water soluble dye), 4pounds of Carbopol (a BF Goodrich Chemical Co. trademark for athickening agent), and 180 grams of sodium hydroxide are mixed accordingto the follow- 2 ing method:

200 lbs of water is placed in a 55 gallon drum and agitated at highspeed during the rapid introduction of four lbs of Carbopol. Theagitation is maintained until all the Carbopol is dispersed.

Methyl paraben, an antiseptic and fungus growth inhibitant, is dispersedin 2.5 lbs of hot water and is added to the mixed water and Carbopol asagitation continues.

The glycerine is then added and the dye dissolved in 2.5 lbs of waterand added to the mixture slowly.

Agitation is continued for about an hour or until all the particles aredissolved.

The sodium Hydroxide is then mixed in 25.5 lbs of water and is dissolvedcompletely and added rapidly to the mixture. The mixture is then stirredslowly until the product is completely gelled.

The water and glycerine base of the mix is used because the glycerinetends to lower the freezing point of the water and is readily misciblewith the water. The methyl paraben inhibits the growth of mold and theCarbopol thickens the mixture.

Because Carbopol is acid, sodium hydroxide is added as a neutralizer.The dye is added to give to the resultant gel a pleasant appearance.

It is to be noted that the gel is nontoxic and that it will maintain itsconsistency over a fairly wide temperature which will facilitate its useas a hot and a cold compress.

What is claimed is:

l. A hot and cold compress comprising a tough flexible sealed envelope,and a neutral gel within said envelope, said gel being comprised of amixture of water, glycerine a thickening agent and a neutralizing agent,the relative weight proportions of the water and the glycerine beingabout 235.5 parts of the water to about parts of the glycerine, said gelmaintaining its gellike consistency over a temperature range of about 0F. to about 212 F.

2. The compress of claim lv wherein said thickening agent is acidic andsaid neutralizing agent is basic.

3. The compress of claim 2 wherein said neutralizing agent is sodiumhydroxide.

4. The compress of claim 3 wherein said thickening agent consists ofabout four parts by weight of Carbopol, and said neutralizing agentconsists of about 0.03 parts by weight of sodium hydroxide.

5. The compress of claim 3 wherein said neutral gel further comprises amold growth inhibiting agent.

6. The compress of claim 5 wherein said mold growth inhibiting agentconsists of about 0.64 parts by weight of methyl paraben.

1. A hot and cold compress comprising a tough flexible sealed envelope,and a neutral gel within said envelope, said gel being comprised of amixture of water, glycerine a thickening agent and a neutralizing agent,the relative weight proportions of the water and the glycerine beingabout 235.5 parts of the water to about 160 parts of the glycerine, saidgel maintaining its gellike consistency over a temperature range ofabout 0* F. to about 212* F.
 2. The compress of claim 1 wherein saidthickening agent is acidic and said neutralizing agent is basic.
 3. Thecompress of claim 2 wherein said neutralizing agent is sodium hydroxide.4. The compress of claim 3 wherein said thickening agent consists ofabout four parts by weight of Carbopol, and said neutralizing agentconsists of about 0.03 parts by weight of sodium hydroxide.
 5. Thecompress of claim 3 wherein said neutral gel further comprises a moldgrowth inhibiting agent.
 6. The compress of claim 5 wherein said moldgrowth inhibiting agent consists of about 0.64 parts by weight of methylparaben.